Better with Less – Design Challenge finalists feature creative alternatives to plastic packaging

Packaging Solutions

The international packaging design competition Better with Less – Design Challenge 2019 to 2020, organised by Metsä Board, challenged designers to create more environmentally friendly solutions for some of the most frequently used consumer packaging. The competition received 146 entrants from 28 countries. Ten finalists have now been selected to compete for the winning entries of the competition and its main prizes:

Elisabeth Wittauer, Austria – Onlineworld epack

Jasper Chou, China – Preject FF

Magdalena Schmitz, Germany – Disposable razor packaging

Hamzeh Za’balawi, Germany – Reload

Alessandro Grossi, Italy – Twist pop and host

Pricila Rios Salas, Mexico – Cosmos

Silvana Ruiz, Mexico – Crayon house

Christine Gamboa, Philippines – Expandable eco street food package

Anna Nowak, Poland – Cradle box

Eric Smith, United States – Bruk

This year, sustainability and the dual role of packaging played an especially strong role among the participating designs. There were several inspiring solutions reflecting a shift in consumer trends from plastic towards more sustainable packaging materials. In several designs, the packaging had a dual role, becoming part of the product when using it, which further strengthens the circularity of packaging.

The competition’s chairman and the member of the jury, Ilkka Harju, packaging services director at Metsä Board, said: ‘The quality of the designs and highly international group of participants was impressive. It was easy to note that we share the same environmental concerns in the very different corners of the world – the need to find alternatives to plastic is a reality.’

The winners will be announced in March 2020.

All the ten finalists are featured on the competition website, betterwithless.org and there is an opportunity for the public to vote for their favourites.